1 John 5 - Show Love to God

Any Christian (and many non-believers) know John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is how God showed His continual, unconditional, complete love for us; by sending His only Son to die for our sins, in our place. That is powerful, incomprehensible love.

So how then do we show our love for God? Simple, 1 John 5:3 tells us “This is love for God: to obey his commands…”. That simple, obeying God’s commands shows our love for Him. Verse 3 also tells us, “And his commands are not burdensome,” not burdensome, but beneficial, why? Because, (4) “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” Those who are “born of God” overcome the world, not bound by it, not forever to rot in it, not set to be punished and overwhelmed by it, but to overcome it! But how are we to be born of God, how to overcome the world? “(5) Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” Period.

You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He came to earth to die for your sins (for you are a sinner, we all are), that He rose again, conquering death, and is reigning in Heaven with the Father, waiting to come again and collect His people to live with Him forever! Hallelujah!

We who know the Son, Jesus, are born of God and will overcome this world. For Jesus paid the price of sin, death, so we wouldn’t have to, so, by His blood, we are forgiven and cleansed, allowed to be children of the Father, and heirs to His kingdom. Stand and shout, Hallelujah, for victory is Gods, and ours through God!

So show your love to the Father by obeying His commands. It is the very least we can do to return His unfathomable love for us. Besides, His commands are not burdensome, but carry the benefit of overcoming the world. Yet another display of His love for us. He is the only One worthy of praise, to God be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.